Published by Neil ThompsonLondon’s QEII Centre is calling on event professionals and the public to donate their unwanted coats and help warm up the capital’s most vulnerable people this winter once again.
The events venue has partnered again with charity HandsOn London to serve as a collection point for its WrapUp London campaign which provides a coat to anyone who needs one, including the homeless, vulnerable families and refugees.
With two thirds of adults in Britain reporting their cost of living increasing in the past month, WrapUp London’s campaign will be more important than ever this year. In London, where nearly half the country’s rough sleepers are, donated coats will be distributed via homeless shelters, refugee centres, organisations supporting the elderly, women’s refuges, children’s centres, and other charities helping people in crisis.
QEII has supported the WrapUp London campaign for five years, serving as Westminster’s dedicated collection point and collecting 3,825 coats for those in need.
In total, HandsOn London has distributed 197,000 coats to the capital’s most vulnerable since it started the campaign 11 years ago.
This year’s campaign starts on
the 7 November, closing on the 25 November, and QEII is calling event
organisers to spread the word to their delegates so they can get involved and
maximise donations.
“In the past we have been overwhelmed by the donations we have received – playing a consistent key role in this cause is a great honour for our centre. WrapUp London really demonstrates the collective community that is central to the spirit of London, and I hope that our work can be an important lifeline for all vulnerable people during this difficult and cold winter.”
Mark Taylor, chief executive of the QEII Centre
Jon Meech, CEO of HandsOn London said: "We are delighted that the QEII Centre will be able to support WrapUp London for another year. Their generosity enables a collection point to be available in the heart of Westminster and has collected several thousand warm coats for the campaign. Every year the demand for warm coats increases and this year is sadly no exception. As a largely volunteer-led campaign we can only hope to meet this demand with the help of partners like the QEII Centre.”
